What to look for in a good fleet manager?

The profile of the fleet manager is essential for efficient freight transport. But what does this person do, and what are their functions? Here we highlight:

 

Vehicle Financing and Purchasing: This professional is responsible for making decisions about which cars to purchase for the business. He also has a significant right to control the quantity and distribution according to the activity and objectives of the company. For example, an animal transport company will not be able to purchase the same vehicles as a dangerous goods transport company. In addition, at the end of the cars' useful life, this person is responsible for their resale in order to recover part of the investment.
Driver organization and management: Drivers are an essential part of a logistics business. The fleet manager must therefore ensure that drivers have the right driving skills. Otherwise, they can lead to delays in deliveries or mechanical problems, as well as additional costs such as traffic fines.

 

Maintain vehicles in good condition: the fleet manager is responsible for checking that cars are in good condition throughout their life. To do this, he takes care of the maintenance of trucks and vans, ensuring that they are efficient for as long as possible. Some companies have their own mechanic centers, but if not, this professional must look for a reliable workshop. This will allow the company to continue using these vehicles for a longer period.
Logistics services: The fleet manager is responsible for optimizing vehicle management using telematics systems. Thus, he has control over the number of active drivers, vehicles on the road, mileage or fuel.

What characteristics should you look for in a fleet manager?

All these functions show that the right person must have certain characteristics. For example, it must be organized because it will have to coordinate the activity of the entire fleet. They also need to have good communication skills, as their message needs to be conveyed to the rest of the staff.

 

He must also have negotiation skills in order to always get the most out of a sale or purchase. Finally, it must be able to process large numbers and analyze data without missing any transaction details.

 

In summary, a good fleet manager must possess these skills to be able to perform the functions described above. In this way, he will be able to master all aspects and be a reliable person throughout the company organization.